2010/07/31

Get Ready for Ramadan! Short Courses Starts Soon:Ramadan is around the corner! Prepare yourself for the arrival of this most blessed month, and reap the rewards in both this life and the next. Sign up to our special Ramadan courses, and better prepare yourself for the blessings of the upcoming month. Our courses address both the inward and outward aspects of fasting as well as zakat. Through taking these steps towards preparing yourself, we pray that your Ramadan this year will be even better the the last!The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:“Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted.”[At-Tabarani]

This course will prepare you for the coming month of Ramadan through covering the inward dimensions of fasting. You will how to make most of this blessed month. Live sessions start on Sunday, August 15th.

Course Length: 3 weeks

2. Mercy, Forgiveness, and Salvation:

Attaining the Fruits of Ramadan

Discover one of the keys to the secrets of fasting through understanding the Prophetic hadith on how "Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, middle is forgiveness, and end is salvation from the Fire." Live sessions start on Saturday, August 14th.

Course Length: 3 weeks

3. How to pay Zakat:

A Practical Course on Calculating Your Zakat

This special short course will give you a good overview of the practical points on paying Zakat, so that you are able to calculate your Zakat payments easily and correctly according to the Hanafi madhab.
Course Length: 4 weeks

2010/07/30

The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).

Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).

Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.

2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).

Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).

In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

3. The hijab is Tahara (Purity)

Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab: `And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (S33:53).

The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts: `Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.' (S33:32)

The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "

The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)

Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.'(S7:26).

The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

6. The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)

Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)

There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

8. The hijab is Gheerah

The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.

imam ibn Katheer says in his Tafseer that this means "whoever willfully ignores and turns away, Al-`Asha (the root of Ya`sh) refers to weakness of vision; what is meant here is weakness of insight." This is like the Ayat:

[وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى]

(And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him) (4:115),

[فَلَمَّا زَاغُواْ أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ]

(So when they turned away, Allah turned their hearts away) (61:5), and

(And We have assigned for them intimate companions, who have made fair seeming to them, what was before them and what was behind them) (41:25).
end qoute.

We should never turn away from the remembrance of Allah and acting upon the Quran and Sunnah.We should never give up, reading, reciting, acting upon, and contemplating the book of Allah. We should also realize that the house where Allahs remembance is not mentioned is like a graveyard. We should make sure we are people of ath-thikr(remembrance, the Quran). The shaytan is the companion for the one(s) who turns away from Ar-Rahman.

2010/07/27

All humans are dead except those who have knowledge. And all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds. And those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere. And those who are sincere are always in a state of worry.-Imam Ash-Shaafi'ee

2010/07/25

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Lo! We sent Noah unto his people (saying): Warn thy people ere the painful doom come unto them. (1) He said: O my people! Lo! I am a plain warner unto you (2) (Bidding you): Serve Allah and keep your duty unto Him and obey me, (3) That He may forgive you somewhat of your sins and respite you to an appointed term. Lo! the term of Allah, when it cometh, cannot be delayed, if ye but knew. (4) He said: My Lord! Lo! I have called unto my people night and day (5) But all my calling doth but add to their repugnance; (6) And lo! whenever I call unto them that Thou mayst pardon them they thrust their fingers in their ears and cover themselves with their garments and persist (in their refusal) and magnify themselves in pride. (7) And lo! I have called unto them aloud, (8) And lo! I have made public proclamation unto them, and I have appealed to them in private. (9) And I have said: Seek pardon of your Lord. Lo! He was ever Forgiving. (10) He will let loose the sky for you in plenteous rain, (11) And will help you with wealth and sons, and will assign unto you Gardens and will assign unto you rivers. (12) What aileth you that ye hope not toward Allah for dignity (13) When He created you by (divers) stages? (14) See ye not how Allah hath created seven heavens in harmony, (15) And hath made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp? (16) And Allah hath caused you to grow as a growth from the earth, (17) And afterward He maketh you return thereto, and He will bring you forth again, a (new) forthbringing. (18) And Allah hath made the earth a wide expanse for you (19) That ye may thread the valley-ways thereof. (20) Noah said: My Lord! Lo! they have disobeyed me and followed one whose wealth and children increase him in naught save ruin; (21) And they have plotted a mighty plot, (22) And they have said: Forsake not your gods. Forsake not Wadd, nor Suwa', nor Yaghuth and Ya'uq and Nasr. (23) And they have led many astray, and Thou increasest the wrong-doers in naught save error. (24) Because of their sins they were drowned, then made to enter a Fire. And they found they had no helpers in place of Allah. (25) And Noah said: My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers in the land. (26) If Thou shouldst leave them, they will mislead Thy slaves and will beget none save lewd ingrates. (27) My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who entereth my house believing, and believing men and believing women, and increase not the wrong-doers in aught save ruin. (28)

2010/07/22

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful: Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and, He is Able to do all things. (1) Who hath created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving, (2) Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou (Muhammad) canst see no fault in the Beneficent One's creation; then look again: Canst thou see any rifts? (3) Then look again and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. (4) And verily We have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame. (5) And for those who disbelieve in their Lord there is the doom of hell, a hapless journey's end! (6) When they are flung therein they hear its roaring as it boileth up, (7) As it would burst with rage. Whenever a (fresh) host is flung therein the wardens thereof ask them: Came there unto you no warner? (8) They say: Yea, verily, a warner came unto us; but we denied and said: Allah hath naught revealed; ye are in naught but a great error. (9) And they say: Had we been wont to listen or have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames. (10) So they acknowledge their sins; but far removed (from mercy) are the dwellers in the flames. (11) Lo! those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward. (12) And keep your opinion secret or proclaim it, lo! He is Knower of all that is in the breasts (of men). (13) Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware. (14) He it is Who hath made the earth subservient unto you, so Walk in the paths thereof and eat of His providence. And unto Him will be the resurrection (of the dead). (15) Have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not cause the earth to swallow you when lo! it is convulsed? (16) Or have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not let loose on you a hurricane? But ye shall know the manner of My warning. (17) And verily those before them denied, then (see) the manner of My wrath (with them)! (18) Have they not seen the birds above them spreading out their wings and closing them? Naught upholdeth them save the Beneficent. Lo! He is Seer of all things. (19) Or who is he that will be an army unto you to help you instead of the Beneficent? The disbelievers are in naught but illusion. (20) Or who is he that will provide for you if He should withhold His providence? Nay, but they are set in pride and frowardness. (21) Is he who goeth groping on his face more rightly guided, or he who walketh upright on a straight road? (22) Say (unto them, O Muhammad): He it is who gave you being, and hath assigned unto you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye! (23) Say: He it is Who multiplieth you in the earth, and unto Whom ye will be gathered. (24) And they say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful? (25) Say: The knowledge is with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner; (26) But when they see it nigh, the faces of those who disbelieve will be awry, and it will be said (unto them): This is that for which ye used to call. (27) Say (O Muhammad): Have ye thought: Whether Allah causeth me (Muhammad) and those with me to perish or hath mercy on us, still, who will protect the disbelievers from a painful doom? (28) Say: He is the Beneficent. In Him we believe and in Him we put our trust. And ye will soon know who it is that is in error manifest. (29) Say: Have ye thought: If (all) your water were to disappear into the earth, who then could bring you gushing water? (30)

2010/07/20

Bilal, the first and chief muadhdhin (caller to pray) of Prophet Muhammad. He was also a companion of the prophet and soldier and he was formerly a slave. His companion Abu Bakr bought him from his captivity and he was given his freedom. Here I would like to share with you some of Bilal's own words about the issue of slavery:

Bilal was asked by an audience member while giving an Islamic lecture in Syria, "Islam has forbidden evil things such as wine, gambling and adultery. Why was slavery not banned in Islam?

(The following is only part of his answer for the entire excerpt please pick up a copy of Bilal ibn Rabah by Muhammad Abdul- Rauf)

"You Know" Bilal answered, "the world is now based on the labor of slaves. Should Islam have sought to stop the institution of slavery all at once it would lead to universal anarchy and disturbances in which both masters and slaves would suffer. The master's loss is clear. As for the slave, they would find themselves without anyone to take care of their needs. Unaccustomed to independence and self reliance...society would suffer incurably..."
Another audience member asked, "What has Islam done to help the slave?"
"....Islam has done what no other system and no other religion did or could do, The Torah enjoined slavery, and Christianity was silent about it. Islam has left no chance except that it urged the emacipation of slaves. It promises great rewards for emancipating a slave and makes this emancipation one of the foremost duties incumbent upon a believer as a manifestation of his gratitude for the blessings of God...."

2010/07/18

Narrated Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Allah's Apostle intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Allah's Apostle was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Allah's Apostle ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept.

Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers.

My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Allah's Apostle came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Allah's Apostle allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Allah's Apostle called Ali bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. 'Aisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Allah's Apostle! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' 'Ali bin Abu Talib said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Allah's Apostle called Buraira and said, 'O Burair. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Buraira said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Allah's Apostle ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person ('Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.'

Sad bin Mu'adh got up and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Sad bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Sad bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Allah's Apostle was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quietened them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep.

In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Allah's Apostle came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O 'Aisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Allah's Apostle finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Allah's Apostle on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Allah's Apostle on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle.

I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Quran. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Allah's Apostle might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Allah's Apostle was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, 'Aisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Allah's Apostle . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11)

Dear reader I would like you to take note of the Prophet's reaction to the allegations against his wife. I would like you to note that though he was unsure of her guilt and did not extend himself to her as usual, Ayesha never says that he yelled at her, got angry with her, hit her, cursed her, accused her, or punished her. He (SAW) was in a difficult position but he did not let the situation overcome his character. He was still kind and merciful. He did not become impatient with her indirect answer and he let her go back to her parents house for some time. He didn't tell her that if she was guilty then she will be punished but rather told her to ask for Allah's mercy and he had patience with her and with Allah that her innocence would soon be proven. Masha Allah, Allah's Apostle is the best of mankind!

2010/07/17

Keep your content with those who call on their Rabb morning and evening seeking His good pleasure; let not your eyes turn away from them desiring the attraction of this Worldly Life; nor obey one whose heart We have permitted to neglect Our remembrance, who follow his own desires and goes in to extremes in the conduct of his affairs. (28) O Prophet proclaim : "This is the Truth from your Rabb. Now let him who will, believe in it, and him who will deny it." For such wrong doers we have prepared a fire which will hem them in like the walls of a tent. When they cry for help, they will be showered with water as hot as molten brass, which will scald their faces. What a dreadful drink and what a horrible residence! (29) As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, rest assured that We do not waste the reward of him who does a good work. (30) They are the ones for whom there will be the Gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow; they will be adorned their in with bracelets of gold; they will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade and they will recline on soft couches. What an excellent reward and what a beautiful residence! (31)
Al Kahf 28-31

2010/07/15

"O mankind! Have fear of your Rabb, the One who created you from a single soul, from that soul He created its mate, and through them He spread countless men and women, Fear Allah, the One in whose name you demand your rights and ties of relationship; surely Allah is watching you very closely" An Nisa 4.1

2010/07/14

Allah most high says,
"O You who believe: do not nullify your charity by reminding recipients of having given it and by offending them"
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
"There are three people Allah will not speak to, look at, or exonerate of the day of Judgement, and who will have a painful torment: he who wears the hem of his garment low [A: Out of pride], he who reminds recipents of his charity to them...."

2010/07/09

Khadeeja, may Allah be pleased with her and have mercy on her, was the prophet's first wife and his only wife for the duration of their marriage. Khadeeja gave birth to all of Muhammad's children except Ibraheem (born to Mariya Qibtiya). Khadeeja was the first person to except Islam. The night of Prophet Muhammad's first revelation when he came home to Khadeeja he was terrified and his heart was pounding so he said to her "Cover me! Cover me!" And so she did and began to comfort him as well. He said to her "I fear something has happened to me" Khadeeja replied "Never! I swear by Allah, Allah would never disgrace you....".
Thereafter Khadeeja became the first women to enter Islam. Khadeeja loved the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) so much that she never doubted him. How many of us could say the same? How many of us would comfort and console instead of second guessing? How many of us would reassure instead of turning away?
When the Muslims where completely boycotted and exiled from their communities. Khadeeja stood strong. Taking care of their children and holding on to her Iman (faith).
Khadeeja was beloved by the Prophet (peace be upon him), so much so that he said of her after she passed away:
"When no one believed in me, she believed in me, when people accused me of lying, she affirmed my truthfulness, and when people tried to impoverish me, she made me a partner in her wealth. Allah gave me children through her, and none through my other wives." Long after Khadeeja's death the prophet would still send her friends meat whenever he would slaughter an animal. He would often recall her and pray for Allah to have mercy on her soul. Khadeejah was beloved by the prophet (peace be upon him), may Allah have mercy on her, the mother of the faithful.

2010/07/07

Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 56 :: Hadith 771
Narrated Imran bin Husain:
That they were with the Prophet on a journey. They travelled the whole night, and when dawn approached, they took a rest and sleep overwhelmed them till the sun rose high in the sky. The first to get up was Abu Bakr. Allah's Apostles used not to be awakened from his sleep, but he would wake up by himself. 'Umar woke up and then Abu Bakr sat by the side of the Prophet's head and started saying: Allahu-Akbar raising his voice till the Prophet woke up, (and after traveling for a while) he dismounted and led us in the morning prayer. A man amongst the people failed to join us in the prayer. When the Prophet had finished the prayer, he asked (the man), "O so-and-so! What prevented you from offering the prayer with us?" He replied, "I am Junub," Alllah's Apostle ordered him to perform Tayammam with clean earth. The man then offered the prayer. Allah's Apostle ordered me and a few others to go ahead of him. We had become very thirsty. While we were on our way (looking for water), we came across a lady (riding an animal), hanging her legs between two water-skins. We asked her, "Where can we get water?" She replied, "Oh ! There is no water." We asked, "how far is your house from the water?" She replied, "A distance of a day and a night travel." We said, "Come on to Allah's Apostle, "She asked, "What is Allah's Apostle ?" So we brought her to Allah's Apostle against her will, and she told him what she had told us before and added that she was the mother of orphans. So the Prophet ordered that her two water-skins be brought and he rubbed the mouths of the water-skins. As we were thirsty, we drank till we quenched our thirst and we were forty men. We also filled all our waterskins and other utensils with water, but we did not water the camels. The waterskin was so full that it was almost about to burst. The Prophet then said, "Bring what (foodstuff) you have." So some dates and pieces of bread were collected for the lady, and when she went to her people, she said, "I have met either the greatest magician or a prophet as the people claim." So Allah guided the people of that village through that lady. She embraced Islam and they all embraced Islam.

At-Tabarani reported that the Prophet said, “Whoever says, ‘O Allah! Bless Muhammad and grant him the place closest to You on the Day of Resurrection,’ I will intercede for him.” In another hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When you hear the muezzin, repeat his very words, and then send blessings on me, for whoever sends me blessings once, Allah will bless him ten times in return. Then beseech Allah to grant me wasilah, which is a place in Paradise due to a certain one of Allah’s servants. I hope I will be that servant! Whoever asks wasilah for me, I shall intercede for him.”

Ubayy ibn Ka`b (may Allah be pleased with him): When a quarter of the night had passed, the Prophet got up and said, “O people! Remember Allah, for the first trump has resounded and the second will follow it. It is death that has come near.” Ubayy asked, “O Messenger of Allah! I frequently make supplications; then how many of my supplications should I specify for sending blessings on you?” The Prophet answered, “It is up to you.” I (Ubayy) inquired, “A quarter of my supplications?” The Prophet further commented, “It is up to you, and if you dedicate more, it will be better for you.” I said, “Then, let it be two thirds of my supplications?” The Prophet repeated, “It is up to you, and if you dedicate more, it will be better for you.” Finally, I said, “Then, I will make all my supplications for you!” The Prophet said, “Then, you will be saved from worry and your sins will be forgiven” (At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and Al-Hakim).

When the event befalleth - (1) There is no denying that it will befall - (2) Abasing (some), exalting (others); (3) When the earth is shaken with a shock (4) And the hills are ground to powder (5) So that they become a scattered dust, (6) And ye will be three kinds: (7) (First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand? (8) And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand? (9) And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race: (10) Those are they who will be brought nigh (11) In gardens of delight; (12) A multitude of those of old (13) And a few of those of later time. (14) On lined couches, (15) Reclining therein face to face. (16) There wait on them immortal youths (17) With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring (18) Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness, (19) And fruit that they prefer (20) And flesh of fowls that they desire. (21) And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes, (22) Like unto hidden pearls, (23) Reward for what they used to do. (24) There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination (25) (Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace. (26) And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand? (27) Among thornless lote-trees (28) And clustered plantains, (29) And spreading shade, (30) And water gushing, (31) And fruit in plenty (32) Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden, (33) And raised couches; (34) Lo! We have created them a (new) creation (35) And made them virgins, (36) Lovers, friends, (37) For those on the right hand; (38) A multitude of those of old (39) And a multitude of those of later time. (40) And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand? (41) In scorching wind and scalding water (42) And shadow of black smoke, (43) Neither cool nor refreshing. (44) Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury (45) And used to persist in the awful sin. (46) And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again, (47) And also our forefathers? (48) Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time (49) Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day. (50) Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers, (51) Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum (52) And will fill your bellies therewith; (53) And thereon ye will drink of boiling water, (54) Drinking even as the camel drinketh. (55) This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment. (56) We created you. Will ye then admit the truth? (57) Have ye seen that which ye emit? (58) Do ye create it or are We the Creator? (59) We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun, (60) That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not. (61) And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect? (62) Have ye seen that which ye cultivate? (63) Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer? (64) If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim: (65) Lo! we are laden with debt! (66) Nay, but we are deprived! (67) Have ye observed the water which ye drink? (68) Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder? (69) If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks? (70) Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out; (71) Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower? (72) We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness. (73) Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous. (74) Nay, I swear by the places of the stars - (75) And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew - (76) That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an (77) In a Book kept hidden (78) Which none toucheth save the purified, (79) A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. (80) Is it this Statement that ye scorn, (81) And make denial thereof your livelihood? (82) Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying) (83) And ye are at that moment looking (84) - And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not - (85) Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us), (86) Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful? (87) Thus if he is of those brought nigh, (88) Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight. (89) And if he is of those on the right hand, (90) Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand. (91) But if he is of the rejecters, the erring, (92) Then the welcome will be boiling water (93) And roasting at hell-fire. (94) Lo! this is certain truth. (95) Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous. (96)